Words, Mind, Emotions

Have you ever felt like you just can’t seem to calm your mind? Too many words and thoughts popping in and out? Have your raging thoughts ever effected your emotions, making it difficult for you to find stillness and peace? I have.

Just yesterday I was trying to have my quiet time with God in my secret place. I tried sitting and praying. I tried reading. I was restless in mind and thought. I just couldn’t seem to break through. Then I got up and started to pace and pray to see if I could somehow get focus and concentration happening in my mind. Didn’t work.

As a Christian, I believe that there is a spiritual world, and that the weapons I fight with are not carnal or material. They are spiritual. Oftentimes, I feel that the battle is in the mind, which in turn, affects the emotions. It is up to me to choose whether I’m going to believe the lies that are shot like arrows at me, or if I’m going to believe God. I chose God, because He never lets me down, and I can trust in His word. Even when feelings are up and down, He is constantly stable.

Now you may not be a Christian, or believe in the spirit world, but I’m sure all of us have gone through similar experiences. How do you deal with bombarding thoughts and raging emotions? Do you go through some type of process, and if so, what is it?

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Published by stacilys

I’m just a simple girl that is passionate about being relevant and making a difference in this world.
World traveler, lover of bright sunny days, experiencing cultures, good friends and conversation. I love my God and love my family.
I don’t believe that I have the Truth, but that I have a relationship with Truth and want to be closer to Him.
Canadian, born and raised in Vancouver, BC. YWAMer since 2000 and have traveled and lived all over the world –Hong Kong, China, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan, Turkey, Germany, Argentina, Australia and The USA.
I moved to Brazil in 2002, married an awesome “Baiano”, Daniel, and we have two adorable kiddies, Caue and Hannah.
I am certified in fitness and nutrition and conducted physical conditioning classes while working with an arts and evangelism team and schools. I am also certified in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and TEYL (Teaching English to Young Learners).
"A God Coloured Girl in a Grey World" is my blog where I write articles based on my faith, post fitness routines, recipes and other health and wellness stuff. You can also check out a bit of my music at www.myspace.com/stacilys
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39 thoughts on “Words, Mind, Emotions”

It’s funny….when those things happen, those myriad thoughts winding through my brain, I felt it was only me. So many thoughts, and ideas and words, sometimes at odds with one another, all converge at once. I try to do something menial. Perhaps weed, perhaps shovel snow, perhaps watch the fish in the aquarium. All seem to work.

Hahahahaha. Yea Rob, it’s funny when we think we are the only ones that go through certain things eh. And then all of a sudden, someone else share that they are going through something similar and it’s like, “Eureka!” I’m not the only one after all.
I should have known that you’re way of dealing with it was to do something in the garden or with fish.
🙂

I kind of try to figure out where they come from, and what it is thet are trying to tell me. And then I talk to them, and soothe them, and comfort them like little children, and then mostly they go to sleep peacefully<3

Also, reminds me of King David in the Bible when he said in the Psalms, “Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God — soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God.” (this is from a more contemporary version called, “The Message”)
–Isn’t that great. He spoke to his soul. And not just spoke, but even commanded his soul.
🙂

Great article! I have to admit that I have been feeling this also. Just last week the trouble in Ferguson really sucked me in like a vortex. I couldn’t find any peace. I paced, prayed, cried and was still angry. I couldn’t post my photographs or write poetry. Then it hit me. The memories of what my mother said when she,or we had restless spirits.
She would say, “Be still and know I am GOD.” Then she would start reciting everything good that God had given to our family. A gratitude list, if you will.
She would say,
“Thank God for everything You have done and everything You’re yet to do.”
I did this and within the hour I found peace.
God/Positive Energy, reminded me that the horrific battles of this world are prophecy, and not to battle or conclude whose right, or wrong but to pray for wisdom and love and to live by the golden rule by doing the next right thing.
Sincerely, Dawnasong

That is sooooo awesome Dawnasong. Really.
It reminds me of a friend of mine that said when she starts to feel sorry for herself she just reads the paper and starts thanking God. Hahahahaha. And what about Paul when he was in prison. I’m sure he didn’t feel like praising God after being beaten and thrown in prison. But he decided to believe the truth, and not the lies or his feelings. He made a conscious decision.
Thanks so much for sharing this. And so nice to meet you.
🙂

I engage in an activity that frees my mind. I love to take long walks and listen to my Pandora relaxation station or needlepoint. I meditate on Scripture. Sometimes, just sitting still and gently petting our dog sitting on my lap helps to calm my racing mind. I do an activity such as the aforementioned each day and I seem to be able to get to a calm place more easily than before I began these activities.

That’s wonderful Cate. I find oftentimes that I need to just get on to something else if for some reason I can’t seem to press through. Then, at a later time, or even day, things settle down and I can focus and come into His awesome presence and meet with Him.
Thanks so much for sharing.
🙂

Yoga and meditation for me mostly. When I chat with a god my mind raises even more from the added dialogue. Sometimes I just sit and breath and know the moment will pass eventually. Movies help me the most. They are my last resort. Distract my own mind from itself

Hey there cutie. Long time, no see. So nice to see you here. I was actually just thinking about you today when I was on my post-workout walk. How are you?
I usually just go on with my day. Sooner or later, at a later time and date, I’m able to think clearly again, focus and be still.
Thanks for sharing.
🙂

You are sooooo sweet cutie. Yea, I’ve thought of you often actually. I know you were on vacation for a while. You also are a bright ray of sunshine to me too and I’m so glad to see you. I guess your kids are back in school eh. We’re just coming into our Spring weather nice. It’s soooo good to finally not freeze every day.
Big hug ❤

Here here to that Audrey. My problem the other day is that I was trying to have my quiet time and just couldn’t push through. It was like one bombarding thought after another. CRAZY! I finally gave up. It was like me say God please help various times. I just went on with my day. No problem right. I’m not legalistic, and know that I am but dust.
I’m so thankful for my faith too. And thankful for yours 🙂
You have a great weekend too. I’ll be sending you the link later on by the end of tonight ok.
Big hug ❤

I couldn’t resist reading some of your posts when I came across your blog name today. I love it! It is a great attention grabbing name.
I love your content and am so excited to be following you from now on.

Helloooooo there. So nice to meet you. And thank you for such kind words. I’m so glad you like what you’ve seen so far. I’ll be checking out your blog once I get rid of this headache and tension I have (urgh). You’ll be hearing from me soon.
🙂

Oh…that happens so often…specially when things aren’t going the way you want them to be…your brain will refuse to shut down…you are dead tired because of a long day still it will keep popping things which you just don’t want to hear…it becomes difficult to clear your mind…you can’t concentrate on anything,,,and if you are alone than it will kill you for sure…

Hahaha. I guess it happens to all of us eh. For me, it was during the time I separate daily to come and read, pray and reflect. I just couldn’t shut off all the bombarding thoughts coming my way. It was so hard to focus. I just went on with my day. No problem. Things panned out in the end.
Thanks Aarya.
🙂

At a loss for words. Such great artwork, poetry, and thoughtful insights. I too can get lost in my thoughts. Sometimes it leads me to do the things I gave up so long ago just to ease the pain. Momentary relief and emptiness after. Other times I get up and read a good book, soothe my soul with music, write poetry or add to my novel, then others I stare at the night sky and realize I am an alien in a fioreign land and pray He beams me up to my home. Not sure if I am helping or providing anything of value. Still lost but found sometimes by my real friends who keep me under gravity’s control.

Thank you for such a nice comment Terry, and for your appreciation and kind words.
True friends are the ones that seek us out and find us, pulling you back.
Blessings, my friend.
🙂
P.S. By the way, I finished the subtitles to our film, “Internal Mazes”. Let me know if you’d like to watch it and I’ll send you the link ok.
🙂

I don’t spend as much time in meditation as I should. I find that either I do just calm down for a while and often have a “conversation” with God, or I get fidgety. I sometimes have to just almost force it. And yet, let it be. Only once or twice did I stop after a minute or two. But I try to calm the monkey mind as best I can. Not put expectations on it. Observe and let go. I hastily pray in the mornings at times, but in the end, I have to remember what I heard someone said – having a relationship with God is like having a relationship with anyone else – how much time are you putting into it? And that opened my eyes to the idea that rushed prayers and rushed meditation may not cut it. I have to open up the time and space for Him. I am too busy distracting myself to do that. Often, when I do remember, I invite God along in whatever it is I am doing. or thank Him for something. All these things help to calm my mind down. Serenity prayer helps too.

Hi Paul
I love that, “I try to calm the monkey mind”. I’m going to use that in the future when mine is in a whirlwind. 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your personal experience Paul. I especially like where you said, “I invite God along in whatever it is I am doing.” I do this. I even wrote a song about it. If you would like to hear it you can do so on my blog. It’s just on the song playlist on the sidebar, and it’s the 6th and last song there.
Thank you for your kind words too Paul. You really do bless me.
Hugs and blessings.
🙂

I have a monkey mind too. Sometimes I can calm it with slow meditative breathing, sometimes not. Nature, and a brisk walk/jog almost always start to break down the tight throat and chest so that I can sit in stillness when I come back home.

Hahahahaha. I love that – “monkey mind”. My blogger friend, Paul uses that expression too.
I love having quiet times while taking a walk. I used to walk a pray quite a bit (especially when I visit my family in Canada. My mom lives close to a lake that has a path all around it. There are ducks and huge trees and it’s a very soothing place. Usually at the end of the day, I take a 20 minute walk after my exercise regime and I use that time to reflect, pray and create. I love it.
Thank you so much for sharing

My mind wanders most when I’m engaged in domestic chores and in a moving car, or possibly just doing nothing. But i can counter this by engaging in something that requires mental alertness and concentration, like cooking, running or balancing accounts 😀
Works for me.
Another is to practice deep breathing…still falls under channeling your thoughts to something that requires it’s attention. Afterwards I’m open to engage in some quiet time with my Father in heaven.

You could also try some relaxing music to get there. Or imagine building mental walls to shut the thoughts out.

Hi Uju, thank you for sharing your personal experience. I find that when I’m doing domestic chores, I keep humming the same tune over and over. It drives my step-dad nuts.
Usually, if I can’t calm my thoughts during my quiet time, I end up going on with my day doing what needs to be done. Sooner or later I’m able to come back and be still with Him.

I find it very hard to shut my mind off at times, particularly in times of great stress. Sometimes I find the simple process of just taking myself out for a gentle walk helps to calm my raging thoughts. When I feel particularly overwhelmed, I try to do something just for me and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t, either that or I spend time with my cousin’s children who remind me to just keep things simple and deal with one thing at a time.

Kids have a wonderful way of just living in the moment and not worrying about tomorrow. Spending time with the kids reminds me to concentrate on there here and now rather than stressing over the past or future.